Royal Caribbean Changes Its Future
Even though cruising has returned to near prepandemic normal, some people can’t cruise and others have opted not to.
Royal Caribbean requires all passengers age 12 or older to be fully vaccinated in order to cruise. That means that some people who had credits issued for cruises booked before that policy was put in place may not be eligible to cruise now.
That could include people who have opted not to get vaccinated or those who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons. In addition, some cruise customers have chosen not to return to cruise ships while the pandemic continues for personal or medical reasons.
Anyone who has a future credit and can’t or won’t cruise is in a tough spot. They have an asset — sometimes valued at thousands of dollars — and can’t use it. That frustrated many of RCL’s customers.
Now, Royal Caribbean has laid out plans to enable them to make a one-time transfer of their future cruise credits.
Dont Overpay For Your Royal Caribbean Cruise
Heres how I get the lowest price when I book a cruise
2. Choose a trusted travel agent with a best price guarantee.
Please dont book with any old company just because they have a cheap deal. I suggest that you find the best price and then take it to a trusted travel agent who will beat it as well as giving you the best service.
How Will My Future Cruise Credit Arrive
Your FCC will be attached to your cruise line loyalty information or rewards profile the VIFP Club at Carnival, for instance, or Royal Caribbeans Crown & Anchor Society. If you never registered with the cruise line or you do not have a loyalty account, your FCC information will be emailed to you on the email address you provided when you originally booked your cruise.
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What If I Dont Want A Future Cruise Credit
If the FCC has already been issued, you cannot revert back to a cash refund. In the future, if your cruise needs to be canceled, you can try requesting a refund, which the cruise lines consider on a case-by-case basis. Please be aware of deadlines in order to request a refund.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
What Can Royal Caribbean Onboard Credit Be Used For
Royal Caribbean onboard credit can be used to purchase most things onboard the ship. It cant be used for medical expenses, taxes and port fees.
It used to be the case that you could only spend Royal Caribbean onboard credit once you boarded your ship. However, Royal Caribbean now lets you apply onboard credit to purchases made before your cruise via the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner website or via the telephone.
However, this only applies to certain types of onboard credit. If you purchase the onboard credit as a gift card, for example, youll probably have to wait until you board the ship to use it.
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How Soon Do I Need To Use The Future Cruise Credit
This varies by cruise line. Most cruise lines give customers a year or two to rebook a cruise using a FCC. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, some lines have extended the “use by” dates for future cruise credits several times. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises recently said their pandemic-era future cruise credits would never expire.
How To Get Royal Caribbean Onboard Credit
There are many ways that you can get Royal Caribbean onboard credit. These include:
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Ways To Use Your Royal Caribbean Onboard Credit Like A Pro
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Have you found yourself with some Royal Caribbean onboard credit and want to know how you can spend it?
In this guide, Ill show you exactly what Royal Caribbean onboard credit can and cant be used for, as well as which are the best ways to make the most of your free onboard credit.
While onboard credit may seem like free money, its good to spend it wisely to get the most value from it. So read, on to find out how
Ive Been Issued A Future Travel Credit For A Vacation That Wasnt A Cruise Can You Help
If you have a Future Travel Credit for canceled flights, hotels, all-inclusive packages, or tours, and you originally booked through Expedia CruisesTM, we should be able to assist in re-booking your vacation with it. Well help you navigate the redemption process while providing personalized service and advice you can trust. Future Travel Credits are subject to the individual travel suppliers terms and conditions.
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How Does Onboard Credit Work
On a Royal Caribbean cruise, your cashless onboard expenses account is also known as your SeaPass account. When you make purchases on the ship, these will be charged to your account. At the end of youse cruise, you can settle your account with cash, by credit or debit card or with onboard credit.
When you receive onboard credit, this is credited to your SeaPass account. It will offset any purchases that you make on the ship.
Still Eligible For Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credit
Hi this is my latest post covid travel voucher question, but maybe somebody can help me out.
In 2021 I booked a cruise, and because of cancelation , I received a Future cruise credit from Royal Caribbean.
I made a new booking for 2022. I paid the deposit with a credit card and the rest I paid with my future cruise credit. In the end, the remaining balance to be paid was only 180 euro.
Due to circumstances, I had to cancel again. I was informed that If I cancel I will lose the non-refundable amount. I understand. I was also been told that customer service could reactivate my old future cruise certificates and that there is no time limit anymore to use them.
After 30 days I receive an email:
< < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
Dear guest
I hope this email finds you well
Unfortunately we cannot re-issue your certificate as this booking was created under a non-refundable deposit and the reservation was cancelled with 100% of penalty.
Regards.
< < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
Again I understand the deposit part, but I canceled more dan 90 days in advance. So RCCL need to re-activate the cruise credits right?
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Royal Caribbean Will Pay Travel Agent Commissions On Future Cruise Credits
Royal’s Symphony of the Seas. Photo: Royal Caribbean.
Starting Apr. 1, Royal Caribbean International will start paying travel agent commissions on future cruise credits.
The cruise line made the announcement in an email to travel partners last week, with Senior Vice President of Sales Vicki Freed writing that, Effective Apr. 1, 2018 and beyond, should your clients redeem a Future Cruise Certificate, you will receive the full value of that booking’s commission.
Royal said that it originally began protecting commissions on those credits because of the turmoil brought on by hurricane season last fall. Royal, and other lines, tend to distribute future cruise credits if something goes wrong on a sailing, like delays or cancellations due to weather.
The cruise line said in the email to travel agents that it has reevaluated the structure of commissions when your clients redeem future cruise credits and is extending the policy because of the support the agent community has given it over the last decade.
For the last ten years, you have supported Royal Caribbean and voted us Best Sales and Service in the cruise industry. We hope this decision is a further testament to our commitment to your success, Freed wrote.
Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credits And Cruise With Confidence Policy
The cruise industry has been going through a lot of changes with the suspension of cruises initially only being for 30 days, and now lasting several months. The policy with cancellations regarding refunds and future cruise credit with Royal Caribbean depends on when your sailing was cancelled.
Once Royal Caribbean resumes cruise operations on June 12th, there will be a 4 point process which is currently being worked on. They are collaborating with government health authorities, the Cruise Lines International Association , and a team of medical experts to develop a future boarding screening program and updated health protocols.
Here are the answer to some frequently asked questions regarding Royal Caribbean future cruise credits.
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How much of a future cruise credit am I getting?
To account for the inconvenience the cancelled cruises have caused, travelers are eligible for a 125% Future Cruise Credit . The 125% Onboard Cruise Credit offer window varies depending on when your sailing was suspended. Taxes and fees, as well as any pre-purchased amenities or onboard packages will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment within 45 days from the cancellation date.
The new Onboard Cruise Credit is based on the amount you paid, excluding any previously applied Onboard Cruise Credit, and will be based on a per person value.
- NEW! Lift & Shift option
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What Can I Use A Future Cruise Credit For
Future cruise credits have become widely available due to the current voluntary cruise shutdown that Royal Caribbean is engaged in, which means while cruises are being cancelled due to the global health crisis, Royal Caribbean is offering guests future cruise credits.
Royal Caribbean allows guests to use their future cruise credits to pay their cruise fare, including the deposit.
It cannot be used towards add-on purchases, like drink packages, shore excursions, port fees or taxes.
How Much Is My Future Cruise Credit Worth And How Long Do I Have To Use It
Every Future Cruise Credit is different in value and expiration date, so we highly recommend that you contact your local Vacation Consultant to help you navigate the fine print. We will help you explore the best options to fully maximize the value of your Future Cruise Credit and make your vacation memorable!
Each cruise line will have its own restrictions on the value that is included in the Future Cruise Credit you have been issued. Some exclusions may include:
- Port fees and taxes
- Onboard cash credits
- Initial deposits
Each cruise line will have its own limits on when you can redeem your Future Cruise Credit, which may be subject to expiry and blackout date limitations for new bookings.
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Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credit
Future Cruise Credit, also known as FCC, is the credit being offered by cruise lines to guests whose cruises have been affected by coronavirus. Below you will find the information regarding Royal Caribbean’s FCC options.
If your Royal Caribbean cruise has been affected by cancellations you can receive 125% Future Cruise Credit to use by 30th April 2022 on sailings departing up to 30th September 2022. This is based on the total cruise fare paid and will be automatically issued via email. Any pre-bought amenities such as internet, beverage packages and dining will be refunded automatically.
These offers apply only to the cruise element of bookings where Planetcruise.com are the tour operator of the holiday.
How Do I Use A Future Cruise Credit
Once you have a Future Cruise Credit, you can apply it towards a cruise reservation made directly with the cruise line or with a travel agent.
Think of the FCC like a promo code, which offsets the cost of the cruise.
A FCC can also only be used towards the base cruise fare, so that means it cannot be applied to the deposit, taxes, fees or add-ons .
If your future cruise credit exceeds the cost of the cruise, a new future cruise credit will be issued in the amount of the leftover balance.
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Can I Change My Mind And Get A Cash Refund From My Future Cruise Credit
In almost all cases, the answer is no.
Future Cruise Credits are “use them or lose them”, and once you opt for a FCC, it cannot be refunded for cash.
Some cruise lines have been flexible with this policy, but your mileage may vary. It certainly doesn’t hurt to ask, especially if you explain you don’t care for the current health protocols and have no inclination to sail again. This may or may not work.
Most Credits Will No Longer Expire
In an email sent to guests with outstanding FCCs, Royal Caribbean International announced the removal of expiration dates for the fare-price credits. The bonus amount above fare credits, however, will still expire on the original expiration date.
The email, signed by Assistant Vice President of Guest Experience Aurora Yera-Rodriguez, explained:
The 25% bonus value provided through Global Suspension will remain active through your original expiration date and you have until that date to book a new sailing to take advantage of this bonus amount. Once your expiration date passes, your bonus amount will inactivate, however the FCC value associated with funds held in penalty will remain active and will never expire.
Funds held in penalty refers to the fare price paid for a cruise, which becomes a penalty if a cruise is canceled too close to the sailing date.
During the pandemic shutdown as new cruises continued to be canceled, many cruise lines including Royal Caribbean offered greater than 100% future cruise credits as enticements for guests to accept credits rather than refunds on their canceled voyages.
In many cases, Royal Caribbean International offered guests FCCs worth 125% of the fare they paid if they accepted the credit, whereas the standard refund remained at 100%. Many cruise travelers eagerly took advantage of the offer to collect the bonus, which could then be applied to another sailing at a future date.
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Royal Caribbean Makes It Easier To Use Future Cruise Credits
Got a future cruise credit from a canceled cruise with Royal Caribbean that you’re having trouble spending? The cruise line just made it easier to recoup the entire credit amount by letting travelers use any leftover credit to pay for onboard expenses on their cruise.
The cruise line announced its updated policy to travel agents on Wednesday, as first reported on the RoyalCaribbeanBlog.
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Many travelers still hold future cruise credit, which they received when their booked cruises were canceled during the pandemic when the cruise industry shut down for more than a year.
They soon discovered that it was not always a simple matter to find a replacement cruise priced the same, down to the penny, as the original booking and credit amount. Some cruisers had to pay the balance in cash others booked a cruise for less than the amount of the credit, ending up with a small remainder.
Prior to this week, Royal Caribbean would reissue the leftover amount as new future cruise credit. Travelers would have to book a second cruise or forfeit some of the money they paid. Neither option was ideal for Royal Caribbean’s customers.
Now with the change in policy, when cruisers use their future cruise credits to book sailings, any remaining credit will be transferred into onboard credit.
What If I Used A Future Cruise Credit To Pay For A Cruise That Has Now Been Cancelled Due To The Covid
If you opted in for Cruise with Confidence, you will have two Future Cruise Credits â the original Future Cruise Credit and your Cruise with Confidence Credit. Your original credit will be reinstated with the prior Future Cruise Credit amount, along with the original expiration date or May 31, 2022 â whichever date gives you the most time to use it. You will also receive a new Future Cruise Credit based on the remaining amount paid. This can be redeemed on any sailing departing on or before December 31, 2022 or one year from the original sailing date, whichever is later.
If your sailing was cancelled as part of our COVID-19 operations suspension, you will receive one Future Cruise Credit combining the two amounts: 100% of your original Future Cruise Credit amount and 125% of any additional cruise fare funds paid on the reservation. Your new Future Cruise Credit will have an expiration date of May 31, 2022, and it can be redeemed on any sailing departing on or before December 31, 2022 or one year from the original sailing date, whichever is later.
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